Custom Billboard on Wheels with Ford Transit Connect

Ford is taking the “wraps” off an innovative new program designed to help business owners customize the vinyl graphics on their Ford Transit Connects.

Since its launch last summer, the Transit Connect has been praised by business owners who describe the attention-getting vehicle as a virtual “billboard on wheels.” Now Ford is offering current and future commercial customers an online program at http://www.fordtransitconnectgraphics.com/ that they can use to create their own custom graphic “wraps” using an online library of shapes, lettering and colors that can be manipulated in a number of ways. They also can upload their own images to the site and incorporate them into the design.

“There may be no bigger investment a business owner makes than a first impression,” said Len Deluca, director, Ford Commercial Vehicles. “This Web site provides a great way for a business owner to try out a ‘look’ before making that investment.” Designed to accommodate a variety of designs and budgets, the Web site offers nine different graphic sizes – all made of vinyl and installed by the customer’s dealer or a specially trained installation company obtained through the dealer. Cost ranges from approximately $100 for a small panel logo to $3,500 for a full vehicle wrap.

Toni Mannino, owner of Original Romano’s Pizza & Catering in Orchard Lake, created a custom wrap for her Transit Connect prior to the development of the new Web site. She says the mobile advertising has been great for business.

“Everywhere we go, people stop us and ask about the van,” she said. “It gives us great exposure.”

Bob Maxey, owner of Bob Maxey Ford in Detroit, sold Mannino her Transit Connect. He says he believes the new Web site will be a valuable asset to customers.

“Wrapping a Transit Connect is a great way to advertise and it is a one-time cost, but a lot of people don’t know where to go to get it done,” he said. “Having a Ford Web site where people can design their own custom wrap and get it done right then and there is huge.”

The Web site is the first of its kind for commercial customers, according to Jim Abraham, Ford’s Licensed Accessories manager. It evolved from http://www.fordcustomgraphics.com/, a Web site that Ford retail customers can use to customize their personal vehicles. Approximately 9,000 customers have used that site since it launched in November 2009.

“Ford knows that customers want a vehicle to be all their own,” said Abraham. “This Web site allows them to put their personal stamp on their vehicle and have the product installed at a Ford dealer and backed by a warranty.”

The new interactive Web site was created for Ford by Original Wraps Inc., a provider of “on-demand” custom graphics to the automotive industry. The Transit Connect site is the first of many sites designed specifically for the Ford vehicle portfolio expected to launch this year.

Zumbrota Ford is your Local Minnesota Ford Dealer. Less than an hour from the Twin Cities, 15 minutes north of Rochester, 40 minutes west of Lake City, and only 30 minutes from Red Wing or Cannon Falls, MN! Click here for a map and directions.

To view our used vehicle inventory click here. Call us at 866-530-5809 or 507-732-5127, or view our website at ZumbrotaFord.com

Ford Fusion and Fusion Hybrid Attractive First Time Ford Buyers

The 2010 Ford Fusion and Fusion Hybrid, fresh off a sales record and a string of awards in 2009, are attracting more buyers who are new to the Ford brand than ever before.

The Fusion, redesigned in 2009, saw “conquest sales,” or sales to customers new to Ford, increase to 60 percent of total Fusion sales in February, up 6 percentage points from January and up 11 percentage points from the 2009 calendar year. The percentage of customers new to Ford purchasing the Fusion Hybrid reached 82 percent last month, up 12 points from January and 19 points from 2009.

Fusion competes in a segment long dominated by some of the best-selling cars in the market, including Honda Accord, Toyota Camry and Nissan Altima. Sales of the new Fusion Hybrid account for almost 20 percent of total Fusion retail sales and more than 60 percent of Fusion Hybrid sales have been to customers coming from import brands, including Honda, Nissan and Toyota.

Fusion’s share of the midsize car segment in 2010 has increased to 12.2 percent, up 4.4 points from the 7.8 percent share in the first two months of 2009. Like it did in 2009, Fusion posted the largest share gain in the segment of any competitor.

Winning new buyers in the midsize segment is another indication that American car buyers value the craftsmanship and fuel economy offered across Ford’s lineup.

“It’s extraordinary that a car could set sales records and continue to excel in an environment where overall industry sales in the midsize segment are down 19 percent from a year ago,” said Ken Czubay, Ford vice president of Marketing and Sales and Service.

Since the introduction of the redesigned Fusion in March 2009, the car has set monthly sales records for the nameplate in every month but one. In 2009, sales increased 22 percent to a record 180,671. Over the course of the year, Fusion’s share of the midsize car market increased from 7.0 percent in 2008 to 10.5 percent in 2009. The gain – 3.5 points – was the largest gain for any car in the segment.

Over the first two months of 2010, momentum continued after the Fusion Hybrid, with industry-leading fuel economy, won key awards – including being named North American Car of the Year and winning the MOTOR TREND Car of the Year award.

Ford plans to build on its success in the car market with the upcoming launch of the Fiesta and Focus in the coming 12 months. Both vehicles, offering unmatched features and technology in their segments, are expected to follow Fusion in luring buyers from competing brands.

“This is very encouraging for our upcoming product introductions, because Fusion is the standard bearer for Ford’s product strategy, delivering best-in-class quality, fuel efficiency, safety and smart technology, which of course all adds up to a terrific value proposition for our customers,” said Czubay. “These are the drivers of our share and revenue improvements.”

The 2010 Fusion Hybrid is the most fuel-efficient sedan in America. Fusion offers more power, class-exclusive technologies, such as Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®) and Ford SYNC®, and more total passenger and luggage capacity than the Toyota Camry.

According to Fusion Marketing Manager Jonathan Richards, the diversity of the 2010 Fusion lineup is drawing a growing number of customers to the brand.

“There is no reason for customers shopping for a midsize sedan to look beyond the Fusion, because the lineup offers something for everyone – a Hybrid model, a Sport version and a new selection of gas-powered engines paired with a six-speed transmission,” Richards said.

“Fusion Hybrid, Sport and SEL models account for 50 percent of sales,” said Richards. “Data also show that customers are embracing technology offerings such as voice-activated navigation, SYNC and Sony® Audio.”

The Fusion Hybrid delivers an EPA estimated 41 mpg rating in the city and 36 mpg on the highway, topping the Toyota Camry hybrid by 8 mpg in the city and 2 mpg on the highway. It also offers innovative new technology – SmartGauge™ with EcoGuide – that coaches hybrid drivers to maximize fuel efficiency.

According to early 2010 survey data obtained in the 2009 U.S. Global Quality Research System (GQRS), the 2010 Fusion Hybrid has the highest customer satisfaction ratings of any Ford vehicle ever. The survey was conducted for Ford Motor Company by RDA Group of Bloomfield Hills, Mich.

Zumbrota Ford is your Local Minnesota Ford Dealer. Less than an hour from the Twin Cities, 15 minutes north of Rochester, 40 minutes west of Lake City, and only 30 minutes from Red Wing or Cannon Falls, MN! Click here for a map and directions.

To view our used vehicle inventory click here. Call us at 866-530-5809 or 507-732-5127, or view our website at ZumbrotaFord.com

2011 Ford Mustang - 300+ HP and 30+ MPG

New Mustang V-6 with 305 HP Certified at 31 MPG Highway; Makes History as First Car with 300+ HP and 30+ MPG

The 2011 Ford Mustang today breaks new ground, cracking the record books as not only the most fuel-efficient Mustang ever, but also the first production car in history to produce more than 300 horsepower and more than 30 mpg highway.

The Mustang’s official EPA ratings – completed this week – certify that coupe models equipped with the 305-hp 3.7-liter V-6 and available six-speed automatic transmission achieve 31 mpg on the highway and 19 mpg in the city. The standard six-speed manual transmission is rated at 29 mpg on the highway and 19 mpg in the city.

'“The Mustang engineering team aimed high and, through hard work, achieved fuel economy numbers that elevate Mustang into a class by itself,” said Derrick Kuzak, Ford group vice president, Global Product Development.

“At no other time in Mustang’s history – for that matter, in automotive history – have we been able to talk about 305 horsepower and 31 miles per gallon. The Mustang truly is a no-compromises sports car,” said Kuzak.

Mustang is powered by a lightweight, all-aluminum 3.7-liter dual-overhead-cam (DOHC) V-6 engine that uses advanced engineering to deliver its combination of power and economy. Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing (Ti-VCT) adjusts the valvetrain in microseconds depending on driver inputs, further contributing to the engine’s overall efficiency.

The fact that Mustang achieves its top fuel economy rating with the convenience of an automatic transmission also marks a shift in conventional wisdom. Ford engineered a modern six-speed automatic transmission with carefully calibrated gear ratios and shift programs to maximize economy, while still delivering high-horsepower driving fun.

“Advanced powertrains like our Ti-VCT V-6 and six-speed automatic really speak to the future of Mustang,” says Barb Samardzich, Ford vice president of Global Powertrain Engineering. “We’ve proven that, using technology, Ford can deliver both power and fuel economy.”

In addition to engine improvements, upgrades to Mustang’s body, powertrain and chassis design contribute to the higher fuel economy numbers for 2011. Examples include:

New Electric Power Assist Steering (EPAS) system eliminates the drag of an engine-operated hydraulic power steering pump

Six-speed manual and automatic transmissions allow lower cruising revs without sacrificing off-the-line performance

Aerodynamic changes include improvements like a new front fascia, tire spats on the rear wheels, modified underbody shields, a taller air dam and an added rear decklid seal

The new 2011 Mustang already has more than 11,000 orders. Half of all the nationwide orders are for the car’s fuel-efficient 3.7-liter V-6 engine. The 2011 Mustangs are also being equipped with record levels of technology, giving customers the option of choosing navigation, high-intensity discharge (HID) headlamps and rearview cameras.

The new 2011 Mustang goes on sale this spring and will be built at the AutoAlliance International Plant in Flat Rock, Mich.

Zumbrota Ford is your Local Minnesota Ford Dealer. Less than an hour from the Twin Cities, 15 minutes north of Rochester, 40 minutes west of Lake City, and only 30 minutes from Red Wing or Cannon Falls, MN! Click here for a map and directions.

To view our used vehicle inventory click here. Call us at 866-530-5809 or 507-732-5127, or view our website at ZumbrotaFord.com

2011 Ford Focus Wagon Debut in Europe - Coming To America?

Ford unveiled the new Focus Wagon to a group of VIP media last month at an invitation only event held on the eve of the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. The new car, which will be on display throughout the show and is one of up to 10 models that will be built on Ford's new global C-platform, will launch in Europe in 2011 along with the popular five-door hatchback and four-door sedan models. The North American Focus lineup, however, will not include a wagon model. Ford’s Group Marketing Manager, Chantel Lenard, discusses the popularity of the Focus Wagon in Europe and why the company decided not to offer it in North America.

Zumbrota Ford is your Local Minnesota Ford Dealer. Less than an hour from the Twin Cities, 15 minutes north of Rochester, 40 minutes west of Lake City, and only 30 minutes from Red Wing or Cannon Falls, MN! Click here for a map and directions.

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Comparison: 2011 Ford Mustang GT vs 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS vs 2010 Dodge Challenger SRT8

MotorTrend does side-by-side comparison, and Ford Mustang wins!

Go here for full article http://tinyurl.com/yc7mqzy

The galloping-away winner this time out is the Ford Mustang GT. It's simply the one pony car most of us covet, and it's the one that hews closest to the original concept of a lightweight (they weren't called draft-horse cars, after all), nimble body and chassis choc-full-o' V-8 muscle. You can see out of it, you get a nice view of the hood and the driving line you're trying to trace, and the engine sounds better than the radio.

The lengthy and impassioned argument over which car would finish second is what really ran up the post-dinner bar tab. The proletarian staffers found the Challenger SRT8's sticker too shocking and argued fervently for the Transformers-yellow Camaro SS, while the Jack Daniels Single Barrel swilling patricians dismissed the gauche, faddish Camaro with its overwrought controls in favor of the refined, mellow, mellifluous Dodge. (Plus it finished higher in more of our individual contests.) So when the buzzer sounded (last call), the scoreboard indicated that more staffers would prefer to own the Challenger, even if it meant downgrading to blended whiskeys and Swisher Sweets to save the extra $10 large. And so, until Chevy or Dodge tweaks a substantial engine, chassis, or body part, the Ford Mustang GT is the reigning V-8 Ponycar champion of the universe. See you next season.



Zumbrota Ford is your Local Minnesota Ford Dealer. Less than an hour from the Twin Cities, 15 minutes north of Rochester, 40 minutes west of Lake City, and only 30 minutes from Red Wing or Cannon Falls, MN! Click here for a map and directions.

To view our used vehicle inventory click here. Call us at 866-530-5809 or 507-732-5127, or view our website at ZumbrotaFord.com

2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty Power Stroke Diesel is Cleanest Ever

Fuel Economy Greatly Improved

The all-new 2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty delivers best-in-class torque, horsepower, towing and payload capability – and does itall more efficiently, resulting in less fuel usage and extended maintenance intervals that can translate directly into bottom-line savings for customers.

"The 2011 Super Duty is not only the most powerful, most capable and fuel-efficient heavy-duty pickup truck on the road, it performs the tough jobs with even more efficiency than ever before," said Doug Scott, truck group marketing manager. "Customers can be confident that Super Duty's class-leading capability comes with Ford's 'and solution' of best-in-class fuel economy."

All-new diesel and gas engine powertrains are the backbone of the 2011 Super Duty's best-in-class towing (26,400 pounds for F-550 chassis cab with fifth-wheel hitch) and payload capability (6,520 pounds for F-350 dual rear-wheel pickup). The Ford-designed, Ford-engineered and Ford-built 6.7-liter Power Stroke V-8 turbocharged diesel engine produces best-in-class 735 ft.-lb. of torque at 1,600 rpm and best-in-class 390 horsepower at 2,800 rpm. The new engine is compatible up to B20 biodiesel fuel as well.

The new 6.2-liter V-8 gasoline engine also boasts best-in-class numbers of 405 ft.-lb. of torque at 4,500 rpm and 385 horsepower at 5,500 rpm. The new engine is E85 compatible.


Pound-for-pound, more efficient

Lighter, more efficient than competitionThe 6R140 transmission is about 25 pounds lighter than those of competitors. The new engines are lighter than the outgoing products as well, which altogether means much more efficient power flow on a pound-for-pound basis. The 6R140 also has a 150,000-mile fluid change interval, which is 2½ times greater than the outgoing product. A patent-pending high-efficiency dual-media filter is the main reason for the extended maintenance interval, which is another savings for customers.


Cleanest Power Stroke ever

The new 6.7-liter Power Stroke V-8 turbocharged diesel employs an aftertreatment system to help comply with 2010 federal regulations to reduce NOx levels in diesel emissions by more than 80 percent compared with the previous standard. The Ford aftertreatment system is a three-stage process; a key component is the use of Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF).

Injection of DEF to reduce NOx is a proven technology that's been used throughout the automotive industry. Unlike other strategies used to control NOx, the DEF system allows the diesel engine to run at its optimum range in terms of fuel mixture. Some systems require the engine to run richer – which can be harmful to diesel engines – in order to control the NOx.

The aftertreatment system works like this:

Step One: Cleaning and Heating – The first step in cleaning the diesel exhaust occurs when the exhaust stream enters the Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (DOC). The role of the DOC is twofold. First, it converts and oxidizes hydrocarbons into water and carbon dioxide. This conversion happens at about 250 degrees Celsius.

Second, the DOC is used to provide and promote heat, using specific engine management strategies, into the exhaust system. Through appropriate thermal management, this heat increases the conversion efficiency of the downstream subsystems in reducing emissions.


Step Two: Knocking Out the NOx – The next step in the process is what's known as Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR). In this process, the NOx in the exhaust stream is converted into water and inert nitrogen, which is present in the atmosphere and harmless. Before the exhaust gas enters the SCR chamber, it is dosed with DEF, an aqueous solution that is approximately 67.5 percent water and 32.5 percent pure urea.

When heated, the DEF splits into ammonia and carbon dioxide. These molecules are atomized and vaporized, then enter a mixer that resembles a corkscrew. This twist mixer evenly distributes the ammonia within the exhaust flow. The ammonia enters the SCR module, which contains a catalyzed substrate, and through chemical reactions combines and converts the NOx and ammonia into the harmless inert nitrogen and water. Dosing occurs between 200 and 500 degrees Celsius.


Step Three: Scrubbing Away the Soot – The final part of the cleansing system for the diesel exhaust gas involves the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF). The DPF traps any remaining soot, which is then periodically burned away, known as regenerating, when sensors detect the trap is full. The regeneration process sees temperatures in excess of 600 degrees Celsius to burn away soot.

This industry-proven technology ensures that the new 6.7-liter diesel is the cleanest Power Stroke ever, as well as the most fuel-efficient.

"Having this diesel designed in-house at Ford meant we were able to work on optimizations and refinements right from the start," said Tim Ogilvie, vehicle energy supervisor. "We're able to deliver to customers a more refined, more fuel-efficient Super Duty, with class-leading torque and horsepower and the class-leading capability they demand."

Zumbrota Ford is your Local Minnesota Ford Dealer. Less than an hour from the Twin Cities, 15 minutes north of Rochester, 40 minutes west of Lake City, and only 30 minutes from Red Wing or Cannon Falls, MN! Click here for a map and directions.

To view our used vehicle inventory click here. Call us at 866-530-5809 or 507-732-5127, or view our website at ZumbrotaFord.com

F-Series Super Duty Q&A

New F-Series Super Duty Arrives in April

Ford's new 2011 F-Series Super Duty pickup arrives at Ford dealerships in April, offering customers an all-new diesel engine. With 735 ft.-lbs. of torque and 390 horsepower in the Ford-built 6.7-liter Power Stroke® diesel, the new Super Duty F-250 and F-350 lead the heavy duty pickup segment in towing, hauling and fuel efficiency, trumping the competition truck for truck. In addition, the new F-450 and F-550 tow and haul even more weight and have no competition. All Super Duty trucks have better fuel economy than their competitors.

More than 100 media members are driving the new 2011Super Duty this week in Arizona. Look for their drive impressions beginning March 8. Super Duty Chief Nameplate Engineer Chris Brewer discusses Ford's new Power Stroke diesel with @Ford Online.

Q. How is bringing the Power Stroke diesel in-house going to improve customer satisfaction with the engine?

A. Power Stroke is an established brand with approximately 3 million Power Stroke diesel trucks sold since its launch in 1994. The new 6.7-liter Power Stroke was designed, engineered and built by a dedicated Ford team that put the engine and its components through a severe testing regimen, both in the lab and on the road. These tests replicate the way our Super Duty customers drive and use their trucks. Customer satisfaction and third-party accolades for current Ford powertrains, including the company's new EcoBoost and hybrid technology, provide added confidence in the new, Ford designed and built Power Stroke diesel.

Q. How stringent were the tests in the development of this new diesel engine?

A. The severe testing regimen includes 10.3 million miles of testing in the laboratory and on the road; extensive CAD and CAE testing prior to hardware tooling; thousands of hours in over-boosted, over-pressurized and overloaded conditions; 30 days running at maximum speed and boost; 2,600 engine starts at sub-zero temperatures; thermal shocking with alternating hot and frigid fluids; simulated 10-year use in arctic conditions; and field testing on torturous roads and courses. We also used data-driven analysis that incorporated warranty information, customer driving styles and road conditions.

Q. What’s new about the technology of the diesel?

A. Ford’s new 6.7-liter diesel combines the best of proven technology with 111 new patents. The engine has the industry's first single-sequential turbocharger with dual compressor wheel and unique center mounting on engine block, a unique inboard exhaust and outboard intake architecture, a compacted graphite iron engine block, aluminum cylinder heads and weighs 160 pounds less than outgoing model.

Q. What’s the advantage of the single-sequential turbocharger?

A. Due to its small size and mounting location, the single-sequential turbocharger helps balance the powertrain system and reduces NVH (noise, vibration, harshness). The unique design of the turbocharger allows the single unit to deliver the benefits of a twin-turbocharger system in a smaller, more-efficient package.

Q. Was Ford of Europe involved in developing the PowerStroke diesel?

A. Yes. We integrated Ford's best global practices in engine design, development and testing into this team, which included Ford of Europe's diesel expertise. Ford's powertrain organization around the world shares lessons learned effectively through peer reviews and the use of technical experts. This engine and how it was developed and engineered is a shining example of ONE Ford.

Q. What is the fuel economy on the new diesel engine?

A. All diesel-powered F-250, F-350 and F-450 pickups have an average fuel economy improvement of 18 percent. F-350, F-450 and F-550 diesel chassis cabs achieve a fuel economy average of up to 25 percent over 2010 models

Q. Why did towing on F-450 and F-550 fall by 200 pounds – from 24,600 pounds to 24,400 pounds?

A. This minor decrease in towing capability, which is still best-in-class, enables us to give our customers superior fuel economy and increase maximum top speed from 81 to 95 mph on F-450 pickup. Our customers told us this is what they want.

Q. What is the forecast mix for Super Duty diesel trucks?

A. We expect about 65 percent of Super Duty customers to opt for diesel power compared to about 35 percent gasoline engines.

Zumbrota Ford is your Local Minnesota Ford Dealer. Less than an hour from the Twin Cities, 15 minutes north of Rochester, 40 minutes west of Lake City, and only 30 minutes from Red Wing or Cannon Falls, MN! Click here for a map and directions.

To view our used vehicle inventory click here. Call us at 866-530-5809 or 507-732-5127, or view our website at ZumbrotaFord.com